- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to move to the Rajya Sabha is a watershed moment in the state, opening two major possibilities that would shape the state's politics.
The tenure of Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state, will come to an end, leaving the state politics without him for 25 years. Besides, the state could get its first BJP CM.
Kumar filed his nomination today in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah. The opposition leaders, including Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav, have long predicted the possibility of such a happening, as in last year's elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats.
It was the first time the BJP got more seats than the JDU. The development has given rise to speculations over the next CM of the state.
Who are the front-runners for Bihar CM?
Among many names discussed in the political arena of the state are Bihar's Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary.
Chaudhary has earned a reputation of one of the most loyal party leaders with a strong hold over the administration and state issues. He belongs to the Koeri community, a prominent backward caste in the state, which has long been represented by the JDU.
The second prominent name is of Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai. Rai is a long-time RSS worker who belongs to the Yadav community. He is also a loyal candidate for the Central leadership and has extensive experience in administrative affairs.
One of the key factors under consideration for his potential appointment is his caste. Political analysts believe that with Samrat, from the Koeri caste, already the Deputy CM, the BJP could bid for a Yadav candidate to challenge the RJD.
Nitish's decision didn't go well with JDU workers
Nitish's decision has left a large number of JDU workers stunned, who took to the party office protesting the decision. They demanded that Nitish must retract and continue as CM instead.
Angry JDU workers vandalised the party office and alleged that the BJP, with the help of "insiders" like Lalan Singh and Sanjay Jha, had conspired to sideline Nitish Kumar. However, the two leaders have yet to respond to these allegations.
Nitish Kumar expressed his gratitude to the public
After his nomination, Nitish Kumar said in an emotional message, "For more than two decades, the people of Bihar have placed their trust in me. It is on the strength of this trust that I have served the state with complete dedication. The new level of development and respect that Bihar is at today is due to the power of your support."